Realist theory and the outbreak of the First World War of power” (Mingst, 2011). World War I was initially a war between two countries, Austria-Hungary and Serbia; but due to assassinations, strength of alliances, treaty ties and a growing security dilemma, more and more countries entered the war until it manifested into a world war complete. Countries increased their armaments and caused concern among other nations. Even countries that felt obligated to remain neutral began to fear the ever-increasing power of countries at war. Countries began to struggle for a balance of power, and the outbreak of war was a product of the multipolarity of power. "World War I, from a realist perspective, can be described by changes in the balance of power in Europe, with distinctions drawn between the rigid alliances argument, which claims that the war was caused by an inflexible continental bipolarity; the future imbalances argument, according to which Germany's fear of Russia's growing power triggered the war; and hegemonic decline, which explains the First World War by citing the decline of Britain's superpower status” (Nau, 2011). After years of hostility and aggression between European superpowers and major states, the balance of power began to be called into question. In 1914, Serbs assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The country reacted and “issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which would bring the assassins to justice. And with this action, Serbia's sovereignty was annulled” (Duffy Michael, 2009). As Serbia did not succumb to the harsh demands of Austria-Hungary, a "preventive" war was declared against Serbia on July 28...... middle of paper ....... to reinforce power over Austria-Hungary, she assassinated her rival's archduke as a means of disarming him and ridding him of his leader. The “Great War” became such because countries significantly more powerful than Serbia and Austria-Hungary joined the war and chose sides to infiltrate and gain superiority over other countries. The war was therefore started by a small nation's quest for power. Works Cited Mingst, K. (2011). The essentials of international relations. (5th ed., p. 70). New York, NY: WW Norton & Company. DuffyMichael. (2009). The causes of the First World War. Retrieved from http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htmNau, H. (2011). {Perspectives on international relations. Retrieved from http://nau.cqpress.com/chap3/study.asp Mingst, K. (2011). The essentials of international relations. (5th ed., p. 70-1). New York, NY: WW Norton & Company

Essay / Realist theory and the outbreak of the First World War of power” (Mingst, 2011). World War I was initially a war between two countries, Austria-Hungary and Serbia; but due to assassinations, strength of alliances, treaty ties and a growing security dilemma, more and more countries entered the war until it manifested into a world war complete. Countries increased their armaments and caused concern among other nations. Even countries that felt obligated to remain neutral began to fear the ever-increasing power of countries at war. Countries began to struggle for a balance of power, and the outbreak of war was a product of the multipolarity of power. "World War I, from a realist perspective, can be described by changes in the balance of power in Europe, with distinctions drawn between the rigid alliances argument, which claims that the war was caused by an inflexible continental bipolarity; the future imbalances argument, according to which Germany's fear of Russia's growing power triggered the war; and hegemonic decline, which explains the First World War by citing the decline of Britain's superpower status” (Nau, 2011). After years of hostility and aggression between European superpowers and major states, the balance of power began to be called into question. In 1914, Serbs assassinated Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. The country reacted and “issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which would bring the assassins to justice. And with this action, Serbia's sovereignty was annulled” (Duffy Michael, 2009). As Serbia did not succumb to the harsh demands of Austria-Hungary, a "preventive" war was declared against Serbia on July 28...... middle of paper ....... to reinforce power over Austria-Hungary, she assassinated her rival's archduke as a means of disarming him and ridding him of his leader. The “Great War” became such because countries significantly more powerful than Serbia and Austria-Hungary joined the war and chose sides to infiltrate and gain superiority over other countries. The war was therefore started by a small nation's quest for power. Works Cited Mingst, K. (2011). The essentials of international relations. (5th ed., p. 70). New York, NY: WW Norton & Company. DuffyMichael. (2009). The causes of the First World War. Retrieved from http://www.firstworldwar.com/origins/causes.htmNau, H. (2011). {Perspectives on international relations. Retrieved from http://nau.cqpress.com/chap3/study.asp Mingst, K. (2011). The essentials of international relations. (5th ed., p. 70-1). New York, NY: WW Norton & Company

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